upcycled denim doll

From denim leftovers, I created the denim sculpture “FEEL”. HXWXD 120X50X50 cm.

Doors of perception

The denim sculpture has a cripple appearance and reminds us vaguely of a sex doll. In an era of digital overconsumption, we receive an overload of information. Our brains have limited resources. When constrained and overwhelmed with thoughts, they pursue well-trod paths of least resistance, trying to efficiently bring order to chaos. Information overload keeps us mired in noise.... “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?” T.S. Elliot.

I was so happy I was able to exhibit the sculpture on a bed at the garage atelier expo Amsterdam September 2018. The bed is decorated with text & drawings, accomplished by students from the St. Joost Academie Breda.

The denim doll is holding the book " Art & Lies" by Jeanette Winterson. Besides the bed, an old overhead projector was placed with the intro text from this book. It explains the alienation and the timelessness of art:

The nature of a work of art

is not to be a part, nor yet

a copy of the real world,

but a world in itself,

independent, complete, autonomous

and to possess it fully

you must enter that world,

conform to its laws,

and ignore for the time the beliefs,

aims, and particular conditions

which belong to you

in the other world of reality.

(Oxford lectures on poetry: Professor Bradley in the year 1901)

TRASH FASHION PUBLIC SPACE PERFORMANCE ARNHEM CENTRAL STATION

On the 7th December of 2017, from 4 till 5 pm, the art performance "MIND YOUR FASHION FOOTPRINT" took place on the beautiful futuristic station of Arnhem. This event was part of the traveling exhibition FACE TIME of foundation "Kunst en Cultuur in Beweging". The theme was Identity in society. de public space performance was supported by Awearness Fashion. Our waste-culture has a devastating effect on our planet earth. The garment industry is one of the biggest polluters, its impact on our globe is disastrous. The clothing industry has a high overproduction and the garments are made in poor countries where people work under inhuman conditions. we buy too many clothes, which we use briefly and throw them away without a wink. It was an interactive performance staged by Eco-nymphs dressed up in trash-fashion: garments and accessories all made of waste textiles.

Warning: this show was not visible for those who don't believe in fairy tales! The intention was to give the traveler a loving but sustainable message with sweet music, hand kisses, perfume, and eco-glitter.